Mormons vs. Summum: The seminary wars
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 4:49 am
Like most school districts in Utah, the Canyons School District sets aside land near its high schools for LDS Seminary buildings. Seems another group is vying for this set aside parcel of land. Of course, the Canyons School District will turn them down, but can you imagine gall of a non-LDS group challenging the LDS Church on their Utah birthright? Infidels!
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52349827-78/summum-seminary-lds-religious.html.csp
The Canyons board hasn’t had a chance yet to discuss Summum’s letter, but the LDS Church has expressed an interest in purchasing the property, said Canyons spokeswoman Jennifer Toomer-Cook.
“The Canyons Board of Education’s intent from the beginning has been to reserve a portion of this land for use by a religious organization for released-time instruction,” she said, noting the parcel is about an acre in size.
But the fact that there is a building labeled “seminary,” a term commonly used by the LDS Church for its high school religious instruction, raises concerns, said Brian Barnard, an attorney who represents Summum.
“Government must be neutral when it comes to religion. … Government must not favor one religion over another,” he said. “The fact that the school district is engaging in conversations with one religious group about that land and not doing it publicly raises some red flags."
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52349827-78/summum-seminary-lds-religious.html.csp